Modular furniture

ABSTRACT

An article of furniture having a pair of side supports. The side supports are alochiral, i.e. they are the same except for hand, and each has a horizontal channel to receive slats. The channels are dimensioned to receive standard dimensioned lumber which are secured in the channels by releasable fasteners, preferably screws.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to furniture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Furniture is a staple product and covers a wide range of products and configurations. One pre-requisite is that it is sturdy and capable of withstanding the environment in which it is placed.

Items of furniture tend to be bulky and therefore expensive to transport and deliver. Knock down or flat pack furniture alleviates this and is popular for interior furniture. However, generally speaking the materials and the fastening systems used are not well suited to exterior use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a furniture system that obviates or mitigates the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms the present invention provides an article of furniture having a pair of side supports. The side supports are alochiral, i.e. they are the same except for hand, and each has a horizontal channel to receive slats. The channels are dimensioned to receive standard dimensioned lumber which are secured in the channels by releasable fasteners, preferably screws.

In one aspect, a side support for an article of furniture is provided, the side support having a horizontal channel to receive slats, the channel dimensioned to receive standard dimensioned lumber which are secured in the channel by releasable fasteners.

Each channel may comprise an upper flange, a lower flange and a pair of legs connected by a web.

The web may be formed to provide a smooth surface overlaying the channel.

The pair of legs and the upper flange may be formed from a strip of material to provide a smooth finish.

The pair of legs may be joined by a foot.

The channel may have a cluster of holes formed therein for accommodating the releasable fasteners.

The cluster of holes may be formed along the lower flange.

The slats may form a seat.

A second channel may extend vertically from the horizontal channel to receive dimensioned lumber for forming a backrest of the article of furniture.

The second channel may extend vertically at an angle offset from 90 degrees from the horizontal channel.

The dimensioned lumber for the backrest may differ in dimension from the dimensioned lumber for the seat.

A second horizontal channel may be provided to receive dimensioned lumber for forming a foot rest.

The side support may have a second horizontal channel formed in opposing direction to the horizontal channel to provide a central support frame.

The central support frame may be formed as a chevron in cross section to subtend an angle of 90 degrees.

In another aspect, an article of furniture is provided, the article of furniture formed by a pair of side supports as above and a plurality of slats of the dimensioned lumber fastened in to each channel of the side supports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a stool;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a side member of the stool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a opposite side perspective view of the side member of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a chair;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the chair of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the components of the chair of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bar stool;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the stool of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a chair with arms;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the chair of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a corner seat;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view showing the components of the corner seat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective showing the components of the corner seat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective of a component used in the corner seat of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective of the component shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the component shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a section on the line A-A of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bench;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the bench of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a component of the bench of FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a chair with a sloped back;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a side support used in the chair of FIG. 23;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a corner bench having a sloped back;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the corner bench of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a component used in the corner bench of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cushioned chair;

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective of the chair of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an exploded view of the chair of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a side panel of the chair of FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a lounger;

FIG. 32 is an exploded view of the lounger of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a side member used in the lounger of FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of lounger;

FIG. 35 is an exploded view of the lounger of FIG. 34; and

FIG. 36 is a rear perspective view of the lounger of FIG. 34.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a stool 10 has a pair of side members 12 and a horizontal seat 14 extending between the side members 12. The side members 12 are identical and best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Each of the side members 12 is made from metal of a suitable thickness, typically ⅛ in. and has a pair of vertical legs 16 connected at the lower level by a foot 18. The legs 16 and foot 18 may be bent from a single strip of material or may be individual strips that are welded to one another. The upper ends of legs 16 are connected by a channel 20 that has upper and lower flanges 22 and a web 24. The channel 20 is aligned with the leg 16 so that the legs 16 enclose the opposite ends of the channel 20. The upper flange 22 may be formed from the strip of material forming legs 16 and foot 18 to provide a smooth finish of the exterior surface of the side member 12.

The lower of the flanges 22 has clusters of holes 26 at spaced intervals. The clusters have 4 holes arranged in a square, although other configurations of holes could be used if preferred.

The spacing between the flanges 22 is chosen to correspond to the thickness of dimensional lumber, typically a nominal 4×4 which has a finished dimension of 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches, or nominal 6×6 (5.5 inches×5.5 inches).

The seat 14 is made of lengths of dimensional lumber, referred to as slats 28 for ease of description, which are arranged side by side as can be seen in FIG. 2.

The length of the channel 20, that is the spacing between the legs 16, corresponds to a multiple of the nominal dimension with an allowance for a small gap between adjacent slats 28, typically ¼ in. The clusters of holes 26 are spaced along the flange to correspond to the location of a slat.

To assemble the stool 10, the required number of slats 28, four in the embodiment shown, and of equal length are arranged side by side. One end of each of the slats 26 is positioned within the channel 20 of one of the side members 12. The opposite ends are then positioned in the channel 20 of the other side member 12 and the two side members 12 forced together to bottom the slats 28 against the web 24. The slats are evenly distributed along the channel 20 to leave a gap between each slat and screws 32 or similar fasteners are inserted through the holes 26 to secure the side members 12 to the seat 14.

By providing the channel 20 to accept dimensional lumber it is only necessary to supply the side frames 12 and allow the end user to supply the material for the seat from readily available standard stock. The length of the slats 28 can be selected to meet individual situations and vary the spacing between the side members 12

The side members 12 are robust but relatively light weight and the attachment of the slats 28 through the screws 32 ensures a rigid structure with lozenging of the side members 12 inhibited by the retention in the channel 20 and engagement with the webs 22. At the same time, the screws 32 are located in the underside of the channel 20 and not readily visible so that an uninterrupted exterior surface for the stool 10 is provided.

In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in which like reference numerals will be used with a suffix “a” for clarity, the side frames 12 a are modified to provide a chair 10 a with a backrest. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the legs 16 a extend above the channel 20 a with the rear of the legs 16 a extending higher than the forward one of the legs 16 a. Clusters of holes 26 a are formed in the rear leg 16 a at spaced locations.

An L-shaped plate 34 is welded to the rear leg 16 a and to the upper flange 22 a of the channel 20 a to define an inwardly directed channel 36 and the upper end of the channel 36 is capped by a closure 38. An arm rest 40 extends rearwardly from the upper end of the forward leg 16 a to the plate 34 parallel to the channel 20 a to complete the side member 12 a. It will be noted from FIGS. 6 and 7 that the width of the channel 36 is less than that of the channel 20 a. The width of the channel 36 corresponds to the thickness of a nominal 2×4 dimensional lumber, i.e. 1.5 in so that a lighter lumber may be used for back slats 42. The web 24 a is preferably formed from a single metal plate to provide a smooth surface overlaying both the channel 20 a and channel 36.

The assembly of the chair 10 a is similar to that of the stool 10 as described above with the seat slats 28 located in channel 20 a and back slats 42 located in channel 36. Screws 32 a secure the slats 28a and 42 within the side members 12 a to provide a rigid structure. The length of the slats 28 a, 36 can be chosen to provide the required spacing between the side members 12 a and adjust the overall width to the particular location. The screws 32 a are located on the underside of the channel 20 a and rear of the leg 16 a so that they are not readily visible in the finished chair 10 a.

The stool of FIGS. 1 to 4 may be modified to provide a bar stool 10 b that is typically higher than a regular stool. As can be seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the legs 16 b in side members 12 b are taller and a channel 44 is located between the channel 20 b and foot 18 b and welded at opposite ends to respective ones of the legs 16 b. The channel 44 has a similar configuration to channel 20 b so as to be dimensioned to receive dimensional lumber. The lower flange 22 b has a cluster of holes 26 b adjacent each of the legs 16 b to receive screws 32 b.

A pair of foot rests 46 of the same length and material as slats 28 b extend between the channels 44 adjacent to the legs 16 b. The stool 10 b is assembled in a similar manner to that described above with the foot rests 46 secured to the channels 44 by the screws 32 b. Again, the screws 32 b are hidden to maintain the aesthetic of the bar stool and the length of the slats 28 b and foot rests 46 may be selected to provide the optimum dimensions.

It will be appreciated that a bar stool with a back may be provided using the configuration of side frames shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 with an elongated leg and additional channel as described above.

Different configurations of side frames 12 may be used to obtain different styles of chair. As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, a squarer profile of side frame 12 c is utilised with arm rests 40 c extending from the upper edges of legs 16 c at front and rear. In this embodiment, the vertical channel 36 c is dimensioned to receive the same lumber as slats 28 c to maintain the square appearance. A gusset 48 is located in the channel 36 c to provide a pocket that supports the uppermost back slat 42 c, which is secured by screws 32 c.

The versatility of the side frames 12 is illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 to 18 where the side frames 12 d are used in conjunction with a central support frame 50 to provide a corner seat 10 d.

The central support frame 50 is shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 and has a pair of legs 52 connected by a foot 54. The legs 52 are formed as a chevron in cross section and subtend an angle of 90 degrees. An arm 54 extends between the upper end of the legs 52.

A horizontal support 56 extends between the legs 52 at the same height as the channel 20 d on the side frames 12 d. The horizontal support 56 has upper and lower flanges 58 and a central partition 60 extending between the flanges 58 to define oppositely directed recesses.

A vertical plate 62 extends between the upper flange 58 and the arm 54. The vertical plate 62 is also chevron in cross section and is spaced from the leg 52 to provide a slot 64 to receive the back slats 42 d. Holes 66 are formed in the back of the rear leg 52 and in the underside of the flange 58.

To assemble the corner seat 12 d, the slats 28 d and back slats 42 d are cut to length with a 45 degree cut at the inner end. The slats 28 d, 42 d are assembled to the side frames 12 d as described above and the inner free ends of the slats inserted in to the recesses in the horizontal support 56 and slot 64. The slats are secured by screws 68 passing through the holes 66 to provide a robust construction. During assembly, the seat slats 28 d abut the partition 60 to facilitate proper placement of the slats and to add bearing on the end face of the slats.

A similar arrangement is shown in FIGS. 19 to 21 where a central support frame 50 e and side frames 12 e are used to make an elongate linear bench 10e. The central support frame 50 e has front and rear legs 52 e and a foot 54 e. A support 56 e is connected between the legs 52 e.

The support 56 e has tabs 70 projecting upward from each edge. The tabs are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the thickness of the dimensional lumber to be used for the slats 28 e and have a length corresponding to the gap between the slats 28 e.

A similar arrangement is provided along the edges of the rear leg 52 e with tabs 70 positioned to support the back slats 42 e at the required spacing.

Clusters of holes 72 are provided between each tab 70 to receive screws 74 that secure the slats 28 e, 42 e.

Assembly of the bench 20 e is similar to that described above with the slats 28 e and 42 e first assembled to the side frames 12 e. The free ends of the slats 28 e, 42 e are then positioned on the support 56 e between the tabs 70 and secured by the screws 74 to provide a rigid structure.

The length of the slats 28 e 42 e may be adjusted to suit the particular circumstances and the slats may be continuous between the side frames 12 e and the central support frame position at mid span.

The above arrangements have the back disposed perpendicular to the seat but as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 an inclined back may be provided for a chair 10 f. The side frames 12 f are similar to those in FIGS. 10 and 11 but a separate inclined channel 76 is located between the channel 20 f and the intersection of the arm 40 f and rear leg 16 f. The channel 76 is dimensioned to receive the dimensional lumber of the back slats 42 f that are secured by screws received in holes 78 in the back flange of the channel 76.

The inclined back may also be incorporated in the corner bench 10 g shown in FIGS. 24 to 26. The side frames 12 g are identical to those described above with respect to chair 12 f and a central support frame 50 g is used to interconnect the slats 28 g, 42 g. The support frame 50 g is similar to that shown in FIG. 18 except the rear leg 52 g terminates at the horizontal support 56 g.

A pair of slots 64 g to receive back slats 42 g is provided by a pair of spaced plates 80 that are a chevron cross section and extend upwardly and rearwardly from the support 56 g.

The construction of chair shown above may be used in combination with cushions as shown in FIGS. 27 to 30. Side frames 12 h are configured with the channel 20 h at the lower end of legs 16 h for a low-profile chair 10 h. The rear legs 16 h are provided with inwardly directed channels 36 h to receive thinner dimensional lumber than the channels 20 h. The slats 28 h and 42 h are closely positioned to minimise the spacing between them and so provide a substantially continuous support for seat and back cushions 82, 84 respectively.

A similar arrangement may also be used with longer slats and a central support to provide corner or linear benches as described above.

Side frames 12 may also be used in less formal furniture, such as the loungers shown in FIGS. 31 to 36. In the lounger 10 i shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 the side frame 12 i has a foot 18 i and a rear leg 16 i. A channel 20 i extends from the front of the foot 18 i to the top of the rear leg 16 i and has an elongated Z configuration with a pair of upwardly inclined linear sections 86, 88 connected by an oppositely inclined linear section 90.

Lower flanges 22 i are perforated with clusters of holes 26 i and slats 28 i extend between the side frames 12 i and are secured in the channels 20 i by screws.

In the alternative embodiment of lounger 10 j shown in FIGS. 34 to 36 the side frames 12 j are constituted by the channels 20 j that are linear to provide a platform of slats 28 j. A head rest 92 is either hinged to one of the slats or has a leading edge received between adjacent slats 28 j and supported in an elevated position by a stay 94. The stay has a U-shaped configuration with a rod 96 connecting a pair of uprights 98. The rod 98 can be fitted in the gap between adjacent slats 28 j so the inclination of the headrest 92 can be adjusted.

In each of the embodiments, a pair of side frames 12 have been used with slats made from dimensional lumber to provide an article of furniture. The slats can be adjusted to customise the sizing as needed and the provision of the channel to receive the slats ensures a secure and robust construction. The use of widely available dimensional lumber reduces the components to be transported and allows versatility in use.

The side frames 12 are preferably made of metal and fabricated by welding sections of sheet material. Alternatively, the side frames may be die cast from aluminum or similar lightweight material. Plastic molded side frames may also be used, preferably with a recycled plastics material.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. The entire disclosures of all references recited above are incorporated herein by reference. 

We claim:
 1. A side support for an article of furniture, the side support having a horizontal channel to receive slats, the channel dimensioned to receive standard dimensioned lumber which are secured in the channel by releasable fasteners.
 2. The side support of claim 1, wherein each channel comprises an upper flange, a lower flange and a pair of legs connected by a web.
 3. The side support of claim 1, wherein the web is formed to provide a smooth surface overlaying the channel.
 4. The side support of claim 2, wherein the pair of legs and the upper flange are formed from a strip of material to provide a smooth finish.
 5. The side support of claim 2, wherein the pair of legs are joined by a foot.
 6. The side support of claim 1, wherein the channel has a cluster of holes formed therein for accommodating the releasable fasteners.
 7. The side support of claim 6, wherein the cluster of holes are formed along the lower flange.
 8. The side support of claim 1, wherein the slats form a seat.
 9. The side support of claim 8, further comprising a second channel extending vertically from the horizontal channel to receive dimensioned lumber for forming a backrest of the article of furniture.
 10. The side support of claim 9, wherein the second channel extends vertically at an angle offset from 90 degrees from the horizontal channel.
 11. The side support of claim 9, wherein the dimensioned lumber for the backrest differs in dimension from the dimensioned lumber for the seat.
 12. The side support of claim 8, further comprising a second horizontal channel to receive dimensioned lumber for forming a foot rest.
 13. The side support of claim 1, wherein the side support has a second horizontal channel formed in opposing direction to the horizontal channel to provide a central support frame.
 14. The side support of claim 12, wherein the central support frame is formed as a chevron in cross section to subtend an angle of 90 degrees.
 15. An article of furniture formed by a pair of side supports as claimed in claim 1 and a plurality of slats of the dimensioned lumber fastened in to each channel of the side supports. 